Overview
It might have come a little late in Melbourne's outdoor drinking season, but the city's CBD just got a luxe new rooftop bar. Fleet, sitting on top of Vibe Hotel Melbourne (within the hotel's former penthouse apartments), boasts views over Flinders Street Station and the Yarra River that can be enjoyed no matter the weather, thanks to the retractable roof and smattering of indoor seating.
Interior architecture firm Paul Kelly Design (BLACK Bar & Grill and Crown Casino) has designed the light-filled space, incorporating natural amber and pink hues throughout an interior full of high tables and plush stools. In contrast to these dusty tones, the wrap-around terrace is considerably brighter, with white accents. Low tables and upholstered couches line the windows, making the space ideal for long, casual hangouts in the sunshine.
The drinks lineup comes courtesy of food and beverage consultant Grant Collins, who has stocked the bar with more than 70 different rums from across the globe, including a vintage and rare bottle collection dating back to the 1930s. But rum isn't all that's on show. There are 50 different gins on the docket, alongside an extensive list of other spirits.
Collins has also curated a lengthy menu of nautical-themed cocktails, plus a few different spritzes, negronis and martinis. Craft beers, Victorian wines and mocktails round out the impressive bevs list. Whatever you want to drink, Fleet is likely to have it.
And while you'll spend plenty of time flipping through the drinks menu, food is kept to a very manageable single page. Either keep it simple with fresh oysters and a meat and cheese board, or opt for a bigger spread. Chef Asish Kumar has crafted a Euro-centric menu with plenty of luxury French and Italian influences — think charcoal mushroom arancini, seared scallops with butter and caviar, lobster crepes and a chocolate cremieux with coffee caviar and cocoa meringue.
Even though, first and foremost, this is a bar, the food is no mere afterthought. Folks can happily sip and snack a night away up at Fleet while admiring Melbourne's lit-up skyline and river.
Fleet is located at Level 22 of 1 Queen Street, Melbourne (on the corner of Queen and Flinders Streets). It operates from 3pm–late Tuesday through Saturday. For more details, visit the rooftop bar's website.